TOKYO – The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News.
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Support rate for Japan PM Takaichi’s Cabinet dips to 67.5%: Kyodo poll
TOKYO – The approval rating for the Cabinet of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has dipped to 67.5 percent, with a majority of respondents saying her remarks on a Taiwan contingency, which have strained ties with China, affect Japan’s economy, a Kyodo News survey showed Sunday.
Still, 57.0 percent said they do not consider Takaichi’s remarks to be careless. Sino-Japanese ties have deteriorated since she said in parliament on Nov. 7 that an attack on Taiwan could constitute a “survival-threatening situation” for Japan.
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Ex-defense minister stresses need to debate Japan’s non-nuclear principles
TOKYO – Former Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera said Sunday that Japan needs to debate the future of its non-nuclear principles, after a security official recently suggested the country should possess nuclear weapons for its defense.
Referring to Japan’s reliance on the U.S. “nuclear umbrella,” Onodera, head of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s security research council, emphasized on a TV program the importance of discussing whether to conduct a review.
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N. Korea slams Japan official’s “provocative” remarks on nuclear weapons
BEIJING – An institute under North Korea’s Foreign Ministry criticized remarks by an official in Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s office saying Japan should possess nuclear weapons, calling them “very provocative,” state-run media reported Sunday.
In a statement, the director of the Institute for Japan Studies claimed Tokyo is seeking to arm itself with nuclear weapons “behind the scenes” while it publicly advocates for a nuclear-free world.
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Japan, S. American customs union Mercosur to launch strategic partnership
SAO PAULO/TOKYO – Japan and the Mercosur South American customs union said Saturday that they will launch a strategic partnership framework to deepen cooperation on trade, investment and supply chains.
The Japanese government said it is arranging to hold the first meeting under the framework early next year, while Mercosur leaders met the same day in Brazil, where President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said the bloc aims to boost trade with nonmember countries.
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Exhibition on late Ghibli animator Takahata a surprise hit in Paris
PARIS – The first European exhibition dedicated to the life and works of the late Japanese animator Isao Takahata, who cofounded the acclaimed animation production company Studio Ghibli, has been a hit in Paris, exceeding expectations.
With the retrospective on the director of the award-winning “Grave of the Fireflies” being held at the Japan Cultural Institute in Paris always packed, an organizer said, “I thought this event would be successful, but I had never expected it to be this popular.”
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Human washing machine showcased at Osaka expo to go on sale in 2026
OSAKA – A “human washing machine” that cleans and dries the entire body and drew large crowds when showcased at the World Exposition in Osaka this year will be sold to consumers in 2026, its developer said.
Shipments to caregiving facilities for the elderly will begin next March, with general sales of the machine developed by bath and shower equipment manufacturer Science Co. to start by the end of 2026.
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Rugby: Mo’unga among try scorers as Brave Lupus edge BlueRevs
IWATA, Japan – Star playmaker Richie Mo’unga scored his first try of the Japan Rugby League One campaign as two-time defending champions Brave Lupus Tokyo overcame the Shizuoka BlueRevs 26-22 on Sunday.
The former All Blacks flyhalf, set to return to New Zealand after the season, notched the opening try in the sixth minute for a Brave Lupus side looking to rebound from a heavy first-round loss to the Saitama Wild Knights a week earlier.
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Football: Kubo ends goal drought, but Sociedad held by last-place Levante
VALENCIA, Spain – Japanese football star Takefusa Kubo broke his goal drought, but a late penalty prevented Real Sociedad from taking all three points as they drew 1-1 with last-place Levante in Spain’s La Liga on Saturday.
The Samurai Blue playmaker, who had not scored since the season’s opening round on Aug. 16, headed in a cross from the far side of goal to give Sociedad the lead in first-half stoppage time at Estadi Ciutat de Valencia.
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VIDEO: Year-end cleaning held at Taiji Whale Museum
